Fluid-pressure system.



PATENTED JULY 2, 1907.

W. J. RICHARDS. FLUID PRESSURE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 19, 1904.

' pumps or compressors are continuously driven by system is reached.

WALTER J. RICHARDS, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEM.

No. s5s,47o.

/ Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented July 2, 1907.

I Application filed November 19, 1904. Serial No. 233,397-

To all whom it may concemr v Beit known that I, WALTER J. RICHARDS, acitizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county ofMilwaukee and State of Wisconsimhave invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Fluid-Pressure Systems, of which the following is a full,clear, concise,

and exactdescription, reference being had to the accom panying drawings,forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to means for controlling the operation of pressuresystems, particularly those in which means of an electric motor and themain object of'my invention is to provide means depending directly uponthe pressure in the system-supplied for rendering the compressorseffective during a certain range of minimum pressure in the system andforreridering the compressor ineffective when a certain maximum pressurein the Inmy co-pending application, Serial No. 164,685, filed July 2,1903, I'have described a system in which the operation of the motordepends upon and, is controlled by the pressure in the system, themotor-operating'upon existence of a certain range of minimum pressure inthe system and being disconnected from its supply circuit when'a certainmaximum pressure is reached. In my present invention, however, the motoris connected directly with supply source and continuously drives thepiston of the compressor. The compressor, although continuously driven,is rendered ineffective during maximum pressure in the system suppliedand I associate electromagnetic means with thevalves thereof forrendering the compressor effectiveaftera certain minimum pressure. isreached and these electromagnetic means are included in a circuitcontrolled directly by' the pressure in the system supplied. {I alsoprovide automatic means for preventing effective actuation of thecompressor until the motor has been brought to its normal speed. I alsoemploy 'a'h'igh pressure a'nda low pressure compressor for supplying thepressure system, the pistons of the compressors being connected intandem and .with the driving motor.

My invention will be best understood when de} scribed with reference tothe, accompanying drawing in which I have-shown diagrammaticallyapressure system in which a low pressure cylinder 1 and a high pressurecylinder 2 are connected respectively with an intermediate reservoir 3,and a main reservioir 3. The respective pistons 4 and 5 are connectedtea common piston shaft 6, which is connected by a connecting rod 7 withthe crank arm 8 of the driving gear 9 driven by the electric motor 10.The low pressure cylinder is provided-withdischarge valves Hand 12connected with the intermediate reservoir and with suction valves 13 and14 receiving from the atmosphere, while the high pressure cylinder isprovided with discharge valves 15 and 16 connected with the mainreservoir and suction valves 17 and 18 receiving from the intermediatereservoir through a pipe 7. V ably of the shunt type and has a fieldwinding 19 and an armature 20, the field winding being shown asconnected directly with the supply circuit 21 by means of a switch 22and the armature is adapted for connection with the supply circuit bymeansof a rheostat comprising resistances 24 and a rheostat lever 25. VThe motor after being started is intended to'run continuously tocontinuously drive the pistons of the compressors.

Normally, however, or during maximum pressure in the supply circuit, thesuction valves of the compressors are rendered inoperative to preventeffective operation of the compressors. For the high pressure cylinder,for instance, I employ a by-pass 26 which is normally open through avalve 27 to render this compressor ineffective. With the suction valvesof the low pressure cylinder, however, I associate electromagneticmechanism which is normally adjusted to mechanically hold the suctionvalves from their seats to thus render the low pressure compressorineffective. This electromagnetic mechanism consists of an electromagnetframe.28 suspended from the compressor wall and which supports anenergizing winding 29 surrounding a reciprocating core 30.

. This core is suspended from a link 31 and connected with one end of alever 32'pivoted to an extension 33 from the field frame 28. The end 351of the lever 32 is disposed below the stem 35 of the correspondingsuction valve and normally the weight of the core 30 causes the lever 32to unseat the suction valve. Upon energizapiston at the end of thecylinder and holds the valve27 in an open position to render the highpressure compressor ineffective. The end of the cylinder 36 may be I Themotor 10 is preferconnected with the reservoir 3 through a valve 41which I normally connects the cylinder with the atmosphere outlet 42through the valve channel 43. A,solenoid -core 44 connects with thevalve lever 45and the weight of the core normally holds this lever tomaintain connection between the cylinder 36 andthe atmosphere,

as shown. Upon energization of the solenoid winding 45, however, thecore is raised and the valve moved until the passage 43 connectsthecylinder 36 with the outlet 46 leading to the reservoir 3, asshown indotted lines. Upon pressure being thus admitted to the cylinder 36 thepiston 37 is driven forwardly and the :yalve 27 closed to allow the,high pressure compressor to e'come effective. a i

A Bourdon gage 47 has its actuating tube48 connected with the reservoir3 through-piping 49, the end of said tube being connected through linkmechanism 50 with a switch arm 51 adapted to engage with a minimumcontact point 52 and a maximum contact point 53. An electromagneticswitch 54 consists of a core 55 and a solenoid winding 56, a switch arm57 secured to the core being adapted to connect the contacts 58 and 59upon current flow through the Winding 56. A similar electromagneticswitch 54 'consists of a core 55 a winding 56, a switch arm 57 and thecontacts 58 and 59.

The minimum gage contact 52 connects with the main 63 through conductor60 and switch 61, the contact 58 connecting with conductor 60 throughconductor 61. The maximum gage contact 53 connects with one end of thewindings 56 and 56 through the conductor 62. The contact 59 connectswith the other end of the winding 56 and with the gage arm 51 throughthe conductor 63. The contact 58 connects with the main 60 and with theother end of winding 56 through conductor 64 while contact 59 connectswith one end of the solenoid winding 45 through conductor 64. Aconductor 65 connects the other end of winding 45 with the winding 29 ofthe valve controlling electromagnet 28 and a conductor 66 connects thewinding 29 with the winding 29 of the suction valve controllingelectromagnet 28. To prevent energization of the suction valveelectromagnetic controlling mechanism before the motor has reachednormal or full speed, I associate switch contacts 67 and 68 with therheostat arm 25 and adapted to be connected by said arm only after allthe resistance 24 has been removed from the motor circuit, andconsequently the motor will not suddenly be subjected to the fulleffective resistance of the compressors until fully connected in circuitand at normal speed;

The operation of the system is as follows: At the outset the motor 10 isstarted and brought to normal speed upon actuation of the rheostat arm25 to remove the resistance 24 from circuit and during this time thecompressors will be ineffective independent of the pressure in thesystem. When the rheostat arm is brought to its last position it willelectrically connect the contacts 67, 68 to complete at this point thecircuit including the compressor controlling electromagnetic means. Ifthe pressure in the system is too low, the arm 51 of the Bourdon gagewill engage the minimum contact point 52, as shown in dotted lines, anda circuit will'ihen flow from the main 63 through the switch 61,conductor 60, contact 52, switch arm 51, conductor 63, contact 59,Winding 55 of the switch 54, conductor 62, winding 56 and conductor 64to main 60, and switch arms 57 and 57 are moved to connect respectivelythe contacts 58, 59 and 58, 59. Current will now flow from the main 60through the conductor 64, contacts 58, 59, conductor 64, winding 45,conductor 65, winding 29, conductor 66, winding 29, conductor 70,contact 67, switch arm 25, contact 68 and through conductor 71 to main63. The levers 32 and 32 will be moved to release the suction valves 13and 14 of the low pressure compressor which will become effective andwill force air into the reservoir 3. The core 44 upon attraction withinthe winding 45 will actuate the valve 41 to connect the cylinder 36 withthe reservoir 3 and upon pressure entering this cylinder the piston 37will be actuated to cause closure of the valve 27 and the high pressurecylinder becomes effective and will force air into the main reservoir 3.The connection of the contacts 58 and 59 by the switch arm 57, closes ashort circuit about the gage contact 52 and gage arm 51, current thenflowing directly from the conductor 60 to the windings 56 and 56, andthe age is thus protected from continued heavy current flow. Theeffective operation of the compressm's continues until a certain maximumpressure is reached when the gage arm 51 will engage the maximum contact53 and a. short circuit will be closed about winding 56 through theconductor 63, gage arm 51, contact 53 and conductor 62. The contacts 58and 59 upon release of the core 55 with switch arm 57, will bedisconnected, thus opening the circuit through the windings 56 and 56,whereupon the contacts 58 and 59 will also be disconnected, and thecircuit through the compressor controlling electromagnetic means will beinterrupted. The cores of the clectromagnets 28 and 28 which have becomedeenergized will move the levers 32 and 32 to again raise the suctionvalves 13, 14 from their seats to render the low pressure ineffective.The solenoid core 44 being released, returns the valve 43 to connect thecylinder 36 with the atmosphere and the spring 40 returns the piston 37to its normal position to cause the valve 27 in the by-pass 26 to beopened and the high pressure compressor also becomes ineffective, themotor, however,

continuing to operate. Upon minimum pressure being again reached, thevarious electromagnetic mechanisms will again become active and thecompressors will again become effective until the maximum pressure isagain reached, and so on.

I have thus shown a system in which the driving motorcontinuouslyj'runsindependently of the pressure in the system and inwhich the effective operation of the compressors actuated by the motorisdependent upon electromagnetic controlling means included in a circuitdirectly controlled by the pressure in the system, the compressors beingeffective during a certain range of minimum pressure in the system andineffective when a maximum pressure is reached. 1 have also rendered itimpossible to throw the full compressor load on ihc motor until themotor has been hroi-ight to its normal speed.

As many modificationsmay be made in the construction and arrangement ofthe various pzu ts of the system, I do not wish to be limited to theexact arrangement and construction herein shown.

I claim as new and desire to secure b Letters latent:

1. In a pressure system. the combination with u iiuid pump, of anelectric motor driving said pump. means for rendering valves of saidpump ineilective upon a maximum pressure in said system, andelectromagnetic menus for automatically rendering said valves effectiveupon :1 cor lain minimum pressure in said system independently of saidmotor.

2. in a pressure system, the combination with u iiuid pumpv of a motorfor continuously driving suid pump. a circuit for said motor. means forrenderingsuid pump ineffective upon maximum pressure in said system. andelectrical means independent of said motor circuit for rendering saidpump effective upon a minimum pressure in said system.

3. ,ln :1 pressure s stem. the combination with u liuid pump, of a motorfor continuously driving suid pump. mechanical means for rendering thevalves oi suid pum inoperative upon maximum pressure in said system. andelectrical means independent or (inmotor circuit i'olreudol'inu' thevalves ciTcciire upon u certain minimum pressure in said system.

4. in :1 pressure system. lin- (l liiiililiiiliill uiiii :1 iiuid Qilliiii lii iiii

itio

operation of said pump.

pump, of a motor for continuously driving said pump, electromagneticmechanism normally mechanically asso ciated with the valves of saidpump, to prevent actuation thereof, whereby said pump is ineffective,and electrical means controlled by the pressure in the system foractuating said electromagnetic mechanism to allow actuation of saidvalves upon a certain minimum pressure in said system.

5. In a pressure system, the combination with a fluid pump, of anelectric motor for continuously driving said pump, electromagneticmechanism associated with the suction valves of said pump, saidelectromagnetic mechanism upon maximum pressure in said system beingadapted to mechanically'prevent actuation of said suctioir valves torender said pump ineffective, and means controlled upon a certainminimum pressure in said system for causing actuation of saidelectromagnetic means to' release said suction valves to allow said pumpto become effective. I

G: In a pressure system. the combination with a fluid pump, of a motorfor continuously driving said pump, electromagnetic mechanism associatedwith the suction valves of said pump,'a circuit for said electromagneticmechanism directly controlled by the pressure in said system, means upona maximum pressure in said system for opening said circuit through saidelectromagnets,

said electromagnets being adapted when deenergized to mechanically causeunseating of the suction valves to render the pump ineffective, andmeans upon minimum pressure in said system for controlling said circuitto cause energization of said electromagnetic means to re-' pump, of amotor continuously driving said pump, meclianical means for renderingsaid pump ineifective during maximum pressure in said system, andelectromagnetic means for actuating said mechanical means to render saidpump eflfective.

9. In a pressure system, the combination with a fluid pump. of a motorcontinuously driving said pump, mechanical means for rendering said pumpineffective upon maximum pressure in said system, and electromagneticmeans directly controlled by the pressure in said system for actuatingsaid mechanical means to allow effective 10. In a pressure system, thecombination with a fluid pump, of an electric motor continuously drivingsaid pump. a circuit for said motor, mechanical means associated withthe valves of said pump for rendering said pump inoperative duringmaximum pressure in said system, and electromagnetic means controlleddirectly by the pressure in said systemfor actuating said mechanicalmeans to allow effective operation of said pump, the circuit for saidelectromagnetic mechanism beinglentirely independent of the motorcircuit.

11. In a pressure system, the combination with a fluid pump. of a motorfor continuously driving said pump, electromagnetic means associatedwith the valves of said pump, said electromagnetic means upon maximumpressure in said system being mechanically disposed to rendersaid valvesinoperative to prevent effective operation of the pump. a circuit forsaid electromagnetic mechanism, and means controlled by the pressure inthe system for controlling said circuit, said means upon minimum'pressure in said system being actuated to close said circuit to actualesaid electromagnetic mechanism to release the valves of the pump toallow effective operation thereof.

12. in a pressure system, the combination with a fluid pump. of a motorfor continuously driving said pump, eleclromugncllc means associatedwith the valves of said pump. said clcrtrtmmgnetic means upon maximumpressure in saidsvslcm being mechanically disposed to render said rahsinom-raiive to prevent edective operation 01' the pump, a circuit forsaid electromagnetic mechanism, means controlled by the pressure in thesystem for controlling said. circuit, said means uponminimum pressure insaid system being actuated to close said circuit to actuate said Ielectromagnetic mechanism to release the valves of the pump to alloweffective operation thereof, and means for rendering said valvesoperative upon minimum pressure in the system, a circuit for said motor,restricting means in said circuit for gradually bringing said motor tonormal speed, and means for preventing said valves from becoming voperative untilsaid restricting means is actuated to bring said motor tonormal speed.

14. In a pressure system, the combination with a fluid pump, of anelectric motor for driving said pump, electro magnetic mechanismassociated with the suction valves of said pump,. said electromagneticmechanism being nor mally mechanically disposed to prevent actuation ofsaid valves upon maximum pressure in said system, a circuit for saidmotor, a starting resistance in said'circuit for said motor, a circuitfor said electromagnetic mechanism, pneumatic switching means controlleddirectly by the pressure in the system for controlling saidelectromagneticmechanism circuit, a certain minimum pressure in saidsystem causing actuation of said pneumatic mechan-' ism to close saidcircuit at one point, and normally open contacts adapted to be closedonly when said motor has been brought to normal speed, energization ofsaid electromagnets upon closure of their circuit causing said suctionvalves to be released to allow effective operation of the pump. 1

15. In a pressure system, the combination with a fluid pump forsupplying said system, of a motor for continuously driving said pump,mechanism for normally mechanically maintaining the valves of the pumpin an inoperative condition upon maximum pressure in the system,electromagnetic mechanism adapted upon energization to release saidvalves to allow etfective operation of the pump, a circuit for saidelectromagnetic mechanism directly c0n trolled by the pressure in saidsystem when said motor is at normal speed, and means for maintainingsaid circuit in an open condition until said motor reaches normal speedupon the initial starting thereof.

16. In a pressure system, the combination with a fluid pump forsupplying said system, of an electric motor for continuously actuatingthe piston of said pump, means for preventing actuation of the valves ofthe pump upon maximum pressure in. said system, electromagnetic meansassociated with the pump valves adapted upon energization to release thevalves to allow eifective operation of the pump, a circuit for saidelectromagnetic means, addl tional electromagnetic means controlled bythe pressure in the system for controlling said circuit, minimumpressure in said system causing said circuit to be closed to energizesaid electromagnetic means, a maximum pressure in the system causingsaid circuit to be opened, a circuit for said motor, a rheostat in saidcircuit for initially starting said motor, and means associated withsaid rheostat for closing said electromagnetic circuit after saidrheostat has been actuated to bring said motor to normal speed.

17. In a pressure system, the combination with'a fluid pump forsupplying said system, of a motor for continuously reciprocating thepiston of said pump, means asso- -ciated with the suction valves of saidpump for normally 18, In a pressure system, the combination with a iluidpump for-supplying said system, of an electric motor for continuouslydriving said pump, means for normally rendering the pump ineifective,electromagnetic means for rendering the pump efiective, anelectriccircuit for said electromagnetic means normally discontinuous,means controlled directly by the pressure in the system for con---trolling the continuity at one point of the circuit, starting means forgradually supplying current to said motor, and means associated withsaid starting means for controlling the continuity of theelectromagnetic circuit at a second point, the circuit at said pointbeing closed only after actuation of the starting means to bring themotor to normal speed, minimum pressure in said system causing closureof the electromagnetic circuit at the first point to cause energizationof the electromagnetic means to render -the pump effective.

" trolled by the pressure in the system for rendering the valves of'thelow. pressure cylinder operative, and; pneumatic. n1ans controlled bythe pressure in the system for rendering the valves of the'high pressurecylinder-operative, whereby said pumps may become effective.

20. In a fluid pressure system, the combination with a low pressure anda high pressure pump, of an electric motor for continuously driving thepistons oi said pumps, means for gradually connecting said motor incircuit, valves for each pump, means for normally rendering the valvesof the pumps inoperative, electromagnetic means controlled by thepressure in the system for rendering the valves of the low pressure pumpefiective after the motor has reached normal speed, and pneumatic meansconnected with the supply system for rendering the' valves of the highpressure pump operative after the motor has reached normal speed.

21. In a pressure system, the combination with a lowpressure and a highpressure pump, of a pressure, system supplied thereby, an electric motorfor continuously and simultaneously driving the pistons of said pumps,means for gradually connecting said motor in circuit, valves for saidpumps,, means for normally rendering said valves inoperative,electromagnetic means associated with the valves of the low pressurepump adapted upon actuation to render said valves operative, pneumaticmechanism connected with the pressure system and adapted upon actuationto render the.,valves of the high pressure pump operative,electromagnetic mechanism controlling said pneumatic mechanism, acircuit including the electromagnetic mechanisms, a switch controlled bythe pressure in the system for controlling said circuit, said switchupon minimum pressure in the system causing closure of said circuitthrough said electromagnetic mechanisms after said motor has reachednormal speed, whereby the valves of the pumps are rendered operative andthe pumps effective.

22. In a pressure system, the combination with a high pressure and a lowpressure pump connected with the pressure system, of a motor forcontinuously reciprocating the pistons within said pumps, valves forsaid pumps, electromagnetically controlled means associated with thevalves and controlled directly by the pressure in the system, minimumpressure in the system causing actuation of said electromagneticmechanism to render the valves operative, and maximum pressure in thesystem causing actuation of electromagnetic mechanism to cause thevalves to' again become inoperative.

upon energization to cause actuation thereof to allow the valves tooperate to render the pumps effective, a circuit for saidelectromagnetic mechanism, and additional electromagnetic meanscontrolleddirectly by the pressure in the system for controlling saidcircuit, minimum pressure in said system causing said additionalclcciro- -magnetic means to close the circuit whereby said valvecontrolling electromagnetic means become energized to allow operation ofthe valves, maximum pressure in the system causing saidadditionalelectromagnetic means to open the circuit whereby said valveelectromagnetic means become inert and said pumps ineifective.

24, In a'pressure system, the combination with a high pressure pump anda low pressurepump connected with the system, of an electric motor forcontinuously'rcciproeating the pistons of said pumps, mechanical meansassociated with the suction valve of the pumps for rendering said valvesinoperative, electromagnetic means for actuating said mechanical meansto allow operation of the valves, and an electric circuit for saidelectromagnetic mechanism controlled directly by the pressure in thesystem, said circuit upon maximum pressure in the system being opened torender the electromagnetic mechanism inert and the mechanical mechanismcllcctivc, minimum pressure -in the system causing closure of saidcircuit whereby said electromagnetic means becomes energized and saidvalves rendered operative.

25. In combination, a fiuid pump, a motor driving said pump, a pressuresystem supplied by said pump, means for controlling the supply of energyto said motor, and means associated with the valves of said pump forauto; matically placing said valves in an inoperative condition whenmaximum value of the pressure in said system is -reached and maintainingthem .in inoperative condition until minimum pressure is reached.

26. In combination, an air compressor, an electric motor driving saidcompressor, a pressure system supplied by said compressor, switchingmeans for controlling the suppl of current to said motor, and means forautomatically opening the suction valves 01 said pump when maximum valueof the pressure in said system holding them in such open condition untilminimum pressure is rcaclied.

27. In combination, a fluid pump, an electric motor driving said pump, apressure system supplied by said pump, switching means for controllingthe motor clrcuil, a valve connecting with each end oi the pressurecylinder, and means for simultaneously maintaining said valvcsin an opencondition during a certain maximum pressiirc range in said system.

28, In combination, a fluid pump, an electric motor driving said pump, apressure system supplied by said pump, switch means for controlling themotor circuit, a valve connecting with each end of the pump cylinder,means for maintaining said valves in an open condition during thecontinuance of a maximum pressure in said system, and an electromagneticmechanism serving after pressure in said system is suiiicientlydecreased to allow the closure of said valves.

29. In combination, a fluid pump having valves, a motor driving saidpump, a pressunc system fed by said pump, means for preventing theactuation of said valves 31. In combination, a fluid pump, a motorconiinuously driving said pump, a pressure system supplied by said pump,check valves for said pump, electromagnetic means controlled by thepressure in said system and associated with the valves for allowingactuation of said valves upon minimum pressure in said system, and mcnnsupon inertncss of said electromagnetic means for render ing said valvesinoperative.

32. In combination, a fluidpump, a motor continuously driving said pump,a pressure system supplied by said' pump, check valves for said pump,moans upon maximum pressure in said system for maintaining said valvesoil their seats to render said pump inoperative, and electropumpreceiving from the.low pressure reservoir, means magnetic means uponminimum pressure in said system for releasing said valves, whereby saidpump becomes operative.

33. In combination," a fluid pump, an electro motor for continuouslydriving said pump after being started, a pressure system supplied bysaid pump, switching means for controlling the motor circuit, a valveconnecting with each endof the pump cylinder, means for maintaining saidvalves inoperative during the continuance of a maximum pressure in saidsysten to render the pump ineffective, electromagnetic mechanism servingafter the pressure in said system is suificientiy decreased to allow theclosure of said valves, whereby said pump becomes ineifective, and meansassociated with the switching means of the motor clrcuitfor preventingactuation of the eiectro-magnetic mechanism until the motor has reachednormal speed. a

34. In a fluid pressure system, the combination with a low pressure andthe high pressure pump, of an electric motor for continuously drivingthe pistons of said pumps, discharge valves for the low pressure pumpconnected with a low pressure reservoir, discharge valves for the highpressure pump connected with a high pressure main reservoir,' suctionvalves for the low pressure pump receiving from the atmosphere, suctionvalves for the high pressure upon maximum pressure in the system forrendering the suction valves of the pumps inoperative to prevent effect-We operation of the pumps, and means upon minimum pressure in the systemfor rendering the suction valves operative, whereby the pumps becomeeifective.

35. In a fluid pressure system, the combination with a low pressure anda high pressure pump, of an electric motor for continuously andsimultaneously actuating the pistons of said pumps, discharge valves forthe low pressure pump connected with a low pressure reservoir, dischargevalves for the high pressure pump connected with a high pressure mainreservoir, suction valves for the low pressure pump receiving from .theyatmosphere, suction valves for the high pressure pump receiving from thelow pressure reservoir, mechanical means for rendering the valves of thelow pressure pump inoperative, mechanical means actuated by the fluidfrom the low pressure reservoir for.

rendering the suction valves of the high pressure pump inoperative,electro-magnetic means controlled directly'by the pressure in the systemfor actuating said mechanical means associated with both pumps to allowoperation of the suction valves thereof upon minimum pressure in thesystem, and means upon maximum pressure in the system for causing saidelectro-magnetic means to become inactive, whereby the valves of thepumps are again rendered inoperative.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 14th day ofNovember, A. D., 1904.

. WALTER J. RICHARDS. Witnesses: I

JOHN E. HUBEL, W. L. MARCY.

